Welcome to Too Optimistic Tuesday! This weekly column reminds BYU fans why they should count their many blessings and have an abundance of hope. Every season in every sport is full of both ups and downs. This column will amplify the "ups" and help fans quickly recover from the "downs". So put on your blue-tinted goggles and just enjoy your BYU fandom for a moment.
Jay Hill is a certified defensive wizard
However many dollars BYU is paying defensive coordinator Jay Hill, they need to double it.
The defensive scheme, talent, and play calling he has overseen in now his third season in Provo is nothing short of spectacular. Those of us who still carry some sports-related PTSD from the previous defensive coaching staff's very passive "bend but don't break" approach to football just might contribute to the Jay Hill Fund.
The 2025 BYU Cougars can legitimately win any game they play behind the spell Jay Hill casts on the Cougars opponents with his football wizardry.
Shutting out Portland State in Week 1 was nice, but not altogether unexpected. Holding Stanford to three points the following week felt great, despite the fact the Cardinal took the chicken way out by kicking a virtually meaningless field goal just to avoid having a goose egg on the scoreboard.
But limiting ECU to just six points until 8:11 left in the game when the Cougars defense surrendered its only touchdown on the season was outstanding. The Pirates came into the game having scored 94 points over its last two games (sure, it was against Campbell and Coastal Carolina, but still) with quarterback Katin Houser averaging over 300 passing yards per game.
In addition to limiting ECU's points, cornerback Evan Johnson recorded a pick-six for BYU to really turn the tide of the game.
In short, Jay Hill kicked the Pirates booty. Pun intended.
BYU will be competitive in every game, thanks to its D
Thanks to the brilliance of its defense, BYU is 3-0 and is now favored in each of its remaining games this year, at least according to ESPN's FPI model.
With a freshman quarterback in Bear Bachmeier, BYU's offense is going to have its share of ups and downs once Big 12 conference play starts. But regardless of who the Cougars face, the defense can keep the team in the game.
And what can make BYU fans even more optimistic is the fact that there is still room to improve. The Cougars defense can still do better on third-and-long situations by bringing more pressure and speeding up the opposing quarterback's decision making. BYU's defense can also still do better at generating pressure from the defensive tackle and defensive end spots, and if anybody can figure out how to do that, it's Jay Hill.
Thanks to Jay Hill, BYU can legitimately be in position to win every remaining game this year.
And until the Cougars lose a game this year, I'll continue to make this claim.